Approach

Steve asserts that client needs take precedent over any model in counselling.

Steve serves as an Integrated Counsellor and Results Coach. This means that he subscribes to a variety of counselling theories and techniques that serve the needs of you, the clients’ best outcome.

Steve’s counselling/coaching is collaborative in nature, and participates with the client as equal partners in both goal-setting and working together to reach those goals. He uses an integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy, drawing upon: Strategic Intervention, Life Coaching, Human Needs Psychology, Solution Focused, Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioural, Gestalt, Neuro-Linguistic, Narrative, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing therapies, all depending on the unique needs of the client.

Framework

Below is a brief description outlining the different models, theories and techniques of counselling that Steve uses.

Life Coaching

Life Coaching helps individuals realize their goals in work and in life. Coaching brings many wonderful benefits: fresh perspectives on personal challenges, enhanced decision-making skills, greater interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence. And, the list does not end there. Those who undertake coaching also can expect appreciable improvement in productivity, satisfaction with life and work, and the attainment of relevant goals.

Strategic Intervention

Strategic Interventionist’s use strategies for resolving the whole range of human challenges in a way that redefines problems so that they can be solved, which leads to greater growth, contribution, and common good. A Strategic Interventionist navigates a variety of scenarios ranging from individual problems to those of the couple, the family, the peer group, the organization, and the larger social system.

Human Needs Psychology

Human needs psychology is a concept, introduced by Anthony Robbins. Its theory is based upon six human needs as universal motivators, and that every action we take in life is to pursue one or more of these needs. By discovering what drives you, you can more easily understand your past decisions as well as be more proactive in the decisions you make regarding your future. We all have different ways and degrees to which we need to meet our needs on a daily basis.

Solution Focused

Solution-focused therapy, sometimes called “brief therapy,” focuses on what clients would like to achieve through therapy rather than on their troubles or mental health issues. The therapist will help the client envision a desirable future, and then map out the small and large changes necessary for them to undergo to realize their vision.

Humanistic

The humanistic method takes a positive view of human nature and emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual. Therapists in this tradition, are interested in exploring the nature of creativity, love, and self-actualization, help clients realize their potential through change and self-directed growth.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The humanistic method takes a positive view of human nature and emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual. Therapists in this tradition, are interested in exploring the nature of creativity, love, and self-actualization, help clients realize their potential through change and self-directed growth.

Gestalt

The humanistic method takes a positive view of human nature and emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual. Therapists in this tradition, are interested in exploring the nature of creativity, love, and self-actualization, help clients realize their potential through change and self-directed growth.

Neuro-Linguistic

Neuro-Linguistic therapy assumes there is a connection between the mind’s processes (“neuro”), language (“linguistic”) and behavioral patterns learned through experience (“programming”) and that these can be changed to achieve specific goals. A neuro-linguistic counsellor analyzes the detail of the client’s words and phrases used to describe their presenting issues in order to understand the underlying cause. Counsellors will then help remodel the client’s thoughts and associations in order to reframe or re-program their preconceptions for better outcomes.

Narrative

Narrative Therapy uses the client’s storytelling to indicate the way they construct meaning in their lives, rather than focusing on how they communicate their problem behaviors. Narrative Therapy embraces the idea that stories actually shape our behaviors and our lives and that we become the stories we tell about ourselves.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps by reflecting on moments and thoughts without passing judgment. Clients pay close attention to their feelings to reach an objective mindset, thus viewing and combating life’s unpleasant occurrences. Mindfulness is moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, characterized mainly by acceptance, attention to thoughts and feelings without judging whether they are right or wrong. Mindfulness focuses the human brain on what is being sensed at each moment, instead of on its normal rumination on the past or on the future.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing is a method of therapy that works to engage the motivation of clients to change their behavior. Clients are encouraged to explore and confront their ambivalence. Therapists attempt to influence their clients to consider making changes, rather than non-directively explore themselves. Motivational Interviewing is frequently used in cases of problem drinking or mild addictions.